Sue Cassells, Kate V. Lewis and Alec Findlater
New Zealand firms display reluctance in embracing the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) standard. The low adoption rate suggests that the benefits of doing so are…
Abstract
Purpose
New Zealand firms display reluctance in embracing the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) standard. The low adoption rate suggests that the benefits of doing so are not adequately understood by New Zealand firms. The purpose of the paper is to report success factors for the implementation of ISO 14001, as well as the barriers to, and benefits of, adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on data from a survey of all ISO 14001 certified firms in New Zealand.
Findings
The key factors reported as being critical to the successful implementation of an ISO 14001 driven EMS for the respondent firms are planning and strategy, and capability building, with process management of lesser importance. Factors recognised as potential barriers to successful ISO 14001 adoption are primarily implementation processes and costs, with external engagement, information and infrastructure, and contractor commitments deemed lesser barriers. Perceived benefits of ISO 14001 adoption are reported as environmental operating performance, compliance related performance, environmental outcomes and perceptions and, lastly, competitive orientation.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is limited to data from externally certified firms (i.e. it excludes any data from firms who “self‐declare”). The data are also post‐implementation (i.e. there is no measurement of whether the reported benefits, barriers and success factors were what the firm had expected pre‐implementation).
Originality/value
The paper is one of few that explore the phenomenon of ISO 14001 adoption by firms in the New Zealand context.
Details
Keywords
MANY and sundry are the worries which fall to the lot of the librarian, and the matter of book‐repair is not the least among them. The very limited book‐fund at the disposal of…
Abstract
MANY and sundry are the worries which fall to the lot of the librarian, and the matter of book‐repair is not the least among them. The very limited book‐fund at the disposal of most public library authorities makes it imperative on the part of the librarian to keep the books in his charge in circulation as long as possible, and to do this at a comparatively small cost, in spite of poor paper, poor binding, careless repairing, and unqualified assistants. This presents a problem which to some extent can be solved by the establishment of a small bindery or repairing department, under the control of an assistant who understands the technique of bookbinding.